Trip ideas

About Florida

Florida, the sunshine state, is perpetually one of the most visited areas in the entire world. For vacation, you can’t beat it. Year round warmth, sugar sand beaches, endless opportunity for both outdoor and indoor activities, sports, history, music, nightlife - the list goes on and on. It’s really no wonder why couples, families, groups of friends and even solo travelers continue to choose the state of Florida as their go-to vacation spot. So there real, and most difficult question is, where do we go? With so many incredible choices for areas to visit in Florida, it comes down to personal preference, and the needs of the group.

Some of the more popular cities in Florida to visit are:

Florida Panhandle: The Florida Panhandle is filled with top choices for destinations. The two most popular are Destin and Panama City Beach. Destin is a Florida relaxation haven. With white sand beaches, water sports galore, and traditional family activities like mini golf and go carts - Destin is the sort of Florida spot that harkens back to a simpler time. Perfect weather and plenty of friendly locals. Panama City Beach offers the same type of atmosphere and fun as Destin, along with the turquoise gulf waters. Check out Zoo World for your fix of flora and fauna, and take the kids to Shipwreck Island water park when the weather gets too hot. For the outdoors types, go canoeing or hike the trails at St. Andrew’s National Park. You could just kick back and relax on 27 miles of pristine beaches too, if you have enough energy to get down there after playing 18-holes of golf.

Disney: The Happiest Place on Earth® Who could argue? It is almost an American pilgrimage at this point for a family to visit Disney World in Florida. Magic Kingdom and Epcot are also must-visit attractions. There are hundreds of vacation rentals area the resort area to offer lodging to those who do not want to stay in a Disney hotel. Kissimmee and Orlando are also nearby with plenty of fun family attractions too. Try out Universal Studios in Orlando, or SeaWorld, or any of the other amusement parks in the city. If you’re coming to Florida with small children, chances are you’re coming to Disney.

Florida Keys: The Florida Keys, especially Key West, call to travelers like a siren's song. Situated just off the southern tip of Florida, Key West offers incredible diving opportunities for both experts and novices. Couple that with the year-round sunshine, its easy to see why Key West has been a favorite getaway for US President’s and famous authors looking for relaxation and inspiration. Shipwrecks dot the sea floor which is what makes this area so compelling for scuba diving, and on land you can find plenty of museums and shopping.

Florida Gulf Coast: The gulf coast stretches for hundreds of miles so it can be difficult to choose where to stay if you’re interested. Most travelers settle in to Anna Maria Island, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Fort Lauderdale, Siesta Key, or Naples. But how do you choose? If you’re looking for the slow Florida life and a beach lover’s paradise, you’ll want Anna Maria Island or Sanibel Island. For shopping, dining, and more lively fun check out Fort Lauderdale and Siesta Key. Naples has the best golf and quietest oceanfront, Fort Myers has the best seashells to grab, and Cape Coral has an art scene that matches the best in Florida.

Miami: For the hottest nightlife and beaches as far as the eye can see - visit Miami. On Miami Beach you’ll find art deco architecture, neon lights, and gorgeous locals sunning themselves along Collins Avenue. With successful sports teams like the Miami Heat and not-so-successful sports teams like the Miami Marlins (albeit with an incredible new stadium) this area is a must-visit for sports lovers. South Beach is of course of the most famous places to swim and tan in all the world. The party and club scene in Miami is the best in Florida which is why it is such a celebrity hot spot. If you’re looking for romance, or a wild party, you should absolutely visit Miami.

The vacation rental industry has been booming in Florida for decades, but has increased dramatically since the advent of online listing sites like FlipKey. We have over 32,000 options for vacation rentals in Florida alone. Condos, villas, apartments, entire homes, houseboats - everything is in play. Vacation rentals offer travelers the space, privacy, and amenities of home but for typically a lower price than traditional hotels. Between the experienced VR owners and the hundreds of property managers operating in Florida, you will absolutely be treated like a VIP.

Let’s not gloss over the amenities, especially in Florida. Your rental may have a in ground pool, a grille with patio, a jacuzzi, a movie theater, a trampoline, jet skis for use, a dock, a full bar - these are just some of the amenities available. If you are traveling with your family, or with a large group a vacation rental is an extremely smart choice as it would cost a fraction of what a hotel would, but with enough bedrooms to suit everyone. Make the right choice when you head to Florida, stay in a vacation rental.

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